Dave and Lillian Brummet offer tips, interviews and resources to inspire hope in individuals; helping them realize the value of their efforts, encouraging them to become more positive, proactive in life.

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Thursday, July 31, 2014

"Look at the trees,
look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars... and if you have
eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful. Everything is
simply happy. Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime
ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will
never have any bank balance. Look at the flowers — for no reason. It is simply
unbelievable how happy flowers are."

The average North
American uses more than 730 pounds of paper each year. That's as much as a tree
as big around as a utility pole standing 4 stories high. Though home to only
about 7% of the world's population, North America consumes nearly 30% of the
world's wood harvest. The average office employee creates nearly 2 pounds of
paper waste each and every day. That's a lot of trees to go through! Now, we
all know that it is in our best interest to reduce, reuse and recycle, but few
of us realize that the easiest way to do that is by changing our paper
purchasing habits.

Just what is recycled paper, anyway?

Recycled paper is any paper that is made of at least 30% post-consumer content.
That means that 30% of the paper pulp used to manufacture it came from recycled
paper. Paper that had already been used, printed on, mailed as junk mail - they
all came together to form new paper. Someone else had made the decision to
recycle their paper waste and somebody somewhere decided to turn that waste
into new paper. It's really that simple.

What about chlorine-free? What's that all about?

Some paper manufacturers, and even some recyclers, use chlorine to bleach the
paper a nice, bright white. We North Americans are obsessed with bright white
paper, by the way. Everything from our office paper to our toilet paper has to
be whiter than snow, and unless the paper manufacturers are using oxygen or
hydrogen peroxide, they are using chlorine dioxide to get that bright whiteness
we crave. Paper can be acceptably bleached using oxygen and/or peroxide without
adding harsh chemicals to the paper.

OK, why should I use recycled, chlorine-free paper?

1.) It's good for the environment.

As stated above, a good bit of the world's trees are going to make paper.
Recycling paper can save 20 trees per ton of paper. "I'm no
tree-hugger," you say, "Why should I care?" Well, you should
care because it's your world, too. Even you don't care about the trees perhaps
you care about the water. Paper production is a water-intensive process. A
one-ton batch of recycled paper uses 7,000 gallons less to produce than a
one-ton batch of virgin paper. But maybe even 7,000 gallons of water isn't enough
to get you to change your mind. How about 60% less electricity? Does that do it
for you? Because that's how much less energy is needed to process recycled
paper over producing paper from virgin stock. That's a lot of light bulbs!

On the post-production end of things, nearly 40% of all our waste products in
the US and Canada are paper products. That's a lot of paper to put into
landfills or send up in incinerator smoke. We waste millions of pounds of
recyclable paper materials every year. We don't need to cut down acre after
acre of timber to supply our paper needs. Most of our paper needs can be met
through the use of recycled paper. But, we have to recycle it first. And then
we have to show that there is enough of a demand for recycled paper products to
warrant the manufacturers to continue to use recycled materials to create new
items.

2.) It's good for you

We'll skip the bit about having more trees making the world a cleaner,
healthier place to live and head straight to your immediate environmental concerns.
Bleached paper gives off dioxins. Dioxins pollute our soil, water and air. They
cause fish to die or become deformed. They are in our food and milk supply.
Dioxins cause cancer. They can cause other maladies in infants and children.
They are nasty little beasties that we willingly let into our offices and homes
through the use of bleached paper. Buying only Processed Chlorine Free (PCF)
paper can ensure that you are not polluting your personal space with dioxins
through your paper supplies. Your employees, your family, and even your own
body will thank you for it later.

3.) It's good for your wallet

Did you know that there are companies out there that buy paper waste for
recycling? They can produce recycled paper products cheaper and easier than manufacturing
virgin paper stock. That means that recycled paper can be (and usually is)
cheaper than paper with less than 30% post-consumer content. PCF paper is even
cheaper still, as peroxide and oxygen used in the bleaching process are not as
expensive for the manufacturer as the chlorine dioxide he might otherwise use.
All of this adds up to savings for you, the consumer. And saving green is
certainly a reason to go green, don't you think?

Buying and using recycled, PCF paper products is a smart choice for every one,
from the business owner to the home owner. The triple benefits of using 30%
post-consumer content, chlorine-free paper make it the best choice overall.

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts
from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at:
http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends,
clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's
Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

"I
remember a hundred lovely lakes, and recall the fragrant breath of pine and fir
and cedar and poplar trees.

The trail has strung upon it, as upon a thread of
silk, opalescent dawns and saffron sunsets.

It has given me blessed release
from care and worry and the troubled thinking of our modern day.

It has been a
return to the primitive and the peaceful.

Whenever the pressure of our complex
city life thins my blood and benumbs my brain, I seek relief in the trail; and
when I hear the coyote wailing to the yellow dawn, my cares fall from me — I am
happy."

~ Hamlin Garland, McClure’s, February 1899

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts
from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at:
http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends,
clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's
Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

* Today's article was provided by Elizabeth D. Johnson - a passionate writer who has been creating online articles for many years.

You might think that
keeping a clean environment is very difficult. Well, maintaining it can be
difficult, but it is not impossible. You can actually do lots of ways to make
it possible. This article might be of great help. Start the changes at home. Your home is still part of your
environment.

1. Avoid creating pollution - Pollution can come in
various forms. You can have air, water and land pollution and all of these can actually be prevented. Start it with yourself. Try to avoid throwing
out any trash, and what you can't recycle, reuse, donate, sell or re-purpose make sure you throw your garbage away properly. For instance, dispose
biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes properly. Avoid littering all over
the places. Your motivation to avoid creating pollution is it can negatively affect human and animal's
health and even destroy the environment.

2. Start reducing contaminants at home and all toxic materials at home. These things can actually destroy the
environment. If you are concerned with the safety and cleanliness of your home,
certainly, all else will follow. Reduce it by cleaning with non-toxic organic supplies (like vinegar, baking soda), and using natural and bio-degradable eco-friendly personal products.

3. Be a good example - Try to do what is right. When you do
the right things, everyone else will follow. Make sure they are following the
right things from you. Set as a good example to all kinds of people, especially
to the youth. The children are the most fragile individuals that are easily
influenced by almost anything. When you teach them the right way, they will
follow, and with that, they know how to take care of their environment.

It is very important to maintain a clean environment. If you are still
wondering on what to do, try these three simple yet effective ways and help each other to
keep it clean.

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts
from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at:
http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends,
clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's
Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!

Monday, July 28, 2014

Every once in a while I like to share a little poetry on our site. Today I'd like to share one of my favorites from the collection of my father-in-law's - Frank Brummet. Frank has been writing poetry as a hobby for most of his adult life. Delving into the hobby more fully after retirement, he has now written hundreds of poems and enjoys experimenting with many different techniques. At his former residence he was heavily involved with the local writer's group. Today, you might spot him at local Creston, BC (Canada) events reading poetry at places like open house talent shows, seniors centers and more.

To Paint Love

I would paint love on a canvas of caring,

Mixing colours on a palette of promise.

The red of passion, the blue of longing,

The green of life in the meadow of hope.

I would depict mountains of joy,

A cool river bubbling with music,

Flow of laughter from happy children.

I would paint the tree of together,

With arms to embrace tnder feelings.

A gentle breeze to blow sweet kisses

That stir the leaves of a joyful heart.

Beneath the tree: blossoming dreams

Sheltered from the winds of sorrow.

The canvas hung on a wall of faith

In the happiness of each tomorrow.

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts
from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at:
http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends,
clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's
Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!

Sunday, July 27, 2014

"Each of us is given a bit of the raw
material of life with which to work. We can shape it anyway we wish. The time
in which we live, our inheritance of traits, etc., all have something to do
with what we become, but after that it is in our hands to do much with what we
have. Physically and mentally we can shape it any way we desire."

~ Louis L’Amour

-- Plastic Bags --

* Today's article was provided by Bizymoms.com - helping provide women with information on
everyday matters and important issues. Check out thier BizyMoms Cares - Conservation section, which offers information and tips on plastic bags and how we can conserve our environment.

It’s hard to say when
we began to turn into obsessive consumers but nobody can doubt that we are just
that. At least most of us! A direct result of this is heavy dependence on
plastic bags. From USA to Africa, from Asia to Australia, everybody is guilty
of using them at some point in their lives. What does this mean for the
environment?

First of all, a plastic bag can take up to 500 years to break down and
decompose. The irony here is that we usually use a bag just once and then toss
it in the garbage. So it’s no surprise that the number of plastic bags used
around the world in a day is tremendously high. A recent study estimates that
in a year, as much as a trillion bags are consumed worldwide. This translates
into considerable landfill and pollution. Not all bags end up in a landfill,
however. Some enter rivers, sewers and even seas. They block waterways and
drains and create more pollution issues.

In the oceans, plastic bags float and mislead turtles and other marine animals
that swallow them as food. Some marine biologists think that plastic bags seem
like jellyfish, an appetizer, to some marine life. These bags can even drift far
away into the doldrums, where many of the floating junk accumulates and may
create new water pollution problems in the near future.

Plastic bags are thin and light which means they are easily carried by the
wind. They are easily blown around and get caught on trees, littering gardens
and parks. Not only is this unsightly but it can kill small animals such as
insects and birds. Plastic bags seem harmless enough to an adult human but they
can suffocate unsuspecting animals and even babies.

Can plastic bags be burnt and got rid of that way? It’s possible yes, but
impractical because of the greenhouse gases that are emitted in the process.
These gases play a direct role in global warming. In fact, even the production
process of plastic bags releases such toxic gases that remain in the atmosphere
for a considerable time.

So next time you pick up a plastic bag, thinking it’s so convenient, light and
cheap, think again. The true cost of the plastic bag you are holding is
staggering and the weight of this burden is shared by all of us.

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts
from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at:
http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends,
clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's
Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!

Saturday, July 26, 2014

"In reading, a lonely
quiet concert is given to our minds; all our mental faculties will be present
in this symphonic exaltation."

~ Stéphane Mallarmé

-- World of Writing --

Yes - it is time for another World of Writing interview. I started this series some years ago in hopes of not only networking with and supporting other writers, but also to encourage other writers out there by sharing other people's experience in the industry. If you look through the blog archives you'll see we've featured poets and authors in many different genres, article writers, magazine publishers and more. You can also find more rich information (for free) through the archived World of Writing audio series via this link: Conscious Discussions Talk Radio

* Today's featured author is DuEwa Frazier (M.Ed., M.F.A., Ed.M.) - a publisehd writer, author, educator, poet and speaker. You find out more about her via these links:

Q: When you started your book, did you plan on
writing it as a series, or did it just grow into one?

A: I have published two children's books to date - Ten Marbles and a Bag to Put Them In: Poems for Children (2010) and Deanne in the Middle
(2014). I was inspired to write Ten Marbles after writing poetry for
both children and adults for years. I have enjoyed being an educator
and I have often taught poetry workshops for children. Writing Ten
Marbles, a poetry collection for children was a way for me to continue
sharing poetry with
children and engage them in literacy activities. Ten Marbles includes
both writing exercises and drawing activities for children. Reading
poetry is as much a visual experience for children as it is a listening
experience, so I really wanted to create a collection of poems that
spoke to children visually. I started writing Deanne in the Middle in
2007. I didn't plan it as a series but I can see where the story may go
if I decide to do that. Deanne in the Middle highlights a part of
teenage life that I think we all have experienced in some way, so I was
thrilled to craft this story and bring it to life.

Q: What age group did you write for, and why did you write for this particular age group?

A: I write for elementary, middle grade and teen readers. I wrote my book Ten Marbles and a Bag to Put Them In: Poems for Children
for elementary and middle grade students. I enjoy teaching and sharing
my love of poetry and literature with students. My young adult novel, Deanne in the Middle
is geared toward teen readers. I have worked with middle or high
school students for several years. I find them to be hilarious,
energetic, intelligent and inquisitive. I have had the best discussions
about books and literature with some of my students. Because I'm a
book geek and I love
spreading my passion for writing and reading, it was natural for me to
progress to writing for teens, they are the students I serve as an
educator.

Q: Did you find it difficult to choose the right
language, images and writing style for reaching this age group?

A: I
think that writing for children and young adults means observing them,
talking with them, understanding what they care about and what motivates
them. I think you also use your own creativity and imagination when
crafting the language and you figure out what is genuine for a
character. Teen or young adult dialogue has its characteristics that
are of course different from the way many adults speak. And there are
teens who do not sound, quite like what we think is a typical teen due
to adult influence, education, the region they live and so on. So the
challenge is to create dialogue and points of view that are just genuine
to the particular characters you're
crafting. The main character in my novel, Deanne, is made fun of for
the way she talks. She speaks more Standard English than slang, but
that's her. Another character in the story may be different. Every
child is different, and I think when I created Deanne and the other
characters, with young readers in mind, I wanted to write was was true
for that character.

Q: How do you plan to promote this book (or series)?

A: I
am an educator and I have the opportunity to work with secondary
students in schools, libraries and other centers of learning. I look
forward to participating in literacy programs for youth and teaching
workshops where I can support youth literacy and share my work.

Q: Is there anything in your book that is based on a
real life experience?

A: Deanne in the Middle
is a work of fiction. I think that something I can relate to from the
story is that I experienced growing up in the Midwest is having
friendship with so many diverse peers, but none of my friends had a
problem with each other. People throughout time, and kids, have
problems with fully accepting those who are different from them or those
who they feel represent some kind of threat to their power,
individuality or sense of popularity. But just as in real life, I like
that my characters are not one-dimensional. You can see the good and not
so good in each of them.

Q: Why did you feel this book needed to be written?

A: My young adult novel, Deanne in the
Middle grew out of my experience as a middle and high school teacher.
Many of our youth are being bullied and harassed in and outside of
school settings. Oftentimes adults do not know how to support our youth
to tolerate difference and communicate with a positive impact on their
fellow peers. Our youth, pre-teens and teens already have many
challenges in navigating responsibilities and accepting the physical
changes and social pressures they have. Merge all of that with
disagreements and feeling "disliked," "dissed" or "unpopular" and you
have an explosion waiting to happen. This is how alot of bullying and
aggression takes shape amongst our youth. These are some of the issues
and themes that appear in Deanne in the Middle. It is my hope to use the
novel as a springboard to discuss solutions and strategies for young
people regarding youth
bullying, conflict resolution, respecting different and building
strong identity with communities of young readers.

Q: What’s the best advice you were given about writing?

A: The best advice I've been given as a writer came from both Bird by Bird
by Anne Lamott and workshops I have taken. The advice is to
never get attached to your first draft and be willing to cut and revise
several times. And also to realize that everything you
write may not meet book form, but keep writing anyway.

Q: What is the wisest thing anyone has said to you?

A: I think the wisest thing I've heard is to appreciate the journey,
whatever it is. I've had an amazing journey as an author so far,
and I just appreciate everything.

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts
from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at:
http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends,
clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's
Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!

Friday, July 25, 2014

"There is a temperate zone in the mind,
between luxurious indolence and exacting work; and it is to this region, just
between laziness and labor, that summer reading belongs."

~ Henry Ward Beecher

-- Books --

We have a chapter in our Trash Talk - It's Easy To Be Green book series on the topic of extending the life of books. Today I'd like to briefly talk about how you can contribute to a better society through your use of books.

Many of us have stacks of books we've read and weekends offer a great opportunity to go through them once more. As we go through them we can check to see if any need a spot of glue or clear packing tape to hold the covers together. We can also start organizing the shelves for genre of books, books according to author, etc. While doing this project we can look systematically over a period of time start making piles of books that we no longer wish to keep and those you consider your "favorites" - those that you just can't part with. Literacy groups are often thrilled to receive your used books, as are library fundraising events (i.e. book sales). If the books are of particular genres you might find a home for them in family center, business center, employment center, women's center or counseling office libraries. If the books pertain to your career, perhaps bringing them to work is an option.

Alternatively you can take those stacks of used books to the reuse center, or to thrift stores that sell things to raise funds for various charities in your region. You might want to consider taking them to a used book store that offers exchange or discount programs.

Another option - start a reading exchange with your friends and family. We did this for many years, although these days it is fairly limited - there was a time when there were a lot of people involved. What we did was have one person designated as the starting point (usually me) and people would drop off books and magazines they no longer wanted and after I read them I put them in boxes or bags and people could go through them when visiting, or I would drop them off to the next person who was the next link in the chain of people involved. Placing your used reading materials by the door in a box for your visitors is also an easy option. You might know families with different aged children and you can start exchanging books with them - you never know where that can lead... such as exchanging clothes or toys.

People receiving the books will read material that they may not have been exposed to normally, enlightening them to new ideas, skills and entertainment. People in your community save money because they are spending less on reading materials. You are able to participate in fundraising for various charitable causes in your community. The life of the book is extended because more people are sharing them. And you have less storage going on at home too, so your place looks less cluttered.

I hope this inspires you to start your own campaign locally exchanging and sharing your old magazines and books. :)

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts
from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at:
http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends,
clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's
Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!

Thursday, July 24, 2014

* Michael Collins wrote this informative article below helping us understand what the environmental sciences are all about...

These days there is
there is a lot buzz about the world going green and preserving the environment.
Well, I think that all of you might be reading something or the other about
"environment and ecology" in newspaper, magazines or over the internet.
So, let me throw light on this topic.

The term Environmental Science involves the scientific study of the ways in which biological,
physical and chemical components of the environment interact and the relations
between them. Environmental
science is multidisciplinary in nature and provides a broad area of study of
environmental systems integrating both biological and physical concepts with an
interdisciplinary approach. Environmental science encompasses
issues such as climate change, conservation, biodiversity, water quality,
groundwater contamination, soil contamination, and use of natural resources,
waste management, sustainable development, disaster reduction, air pollution,
and noise pollution.

While atmospheric science, geo-science and ecology are overlapped they are, in fact, slightly different environmental science
disciplines.Due to the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science, teams of
professionals commonly work together to conduct environmental research or to
produce Environmental Impact Statements.

Ecology studies typically analyze the dynamics of biological populations and
some aspect of their environment.Ecology is the study of the interactions of living organisms with
their environments, including relationship with other organisms.

Geo-sciences include environmental geology, environmental soil science, volcanic
phenomena and evolution of the Earth's crust. In some classification systems it
can also embrace hydrology including oceanography.

Well, above is a brief overview about Environmental Science and its' machinery.
Having a sound knowledge about our environment will certainly help us to
protect Nature, which is the "Gift of God" to mankind.

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts
from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at:
http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends,
clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's
Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!

You can instantly set up a beautiful
garden fountain using solar technology. Solar garden water fountains provide
the calming effect of flowing water without requiring access to an electrical
outlet. Not only do solar garden water fountains allow you to "go
green" by conserving energy, they are very low maintenance. You simply let
the sun work its magic and the fountain runs on its own. Solar garden water
fountains are both beautiful and safe, with no distracting electrical cords to
disguise. A bamboo garden water fountain is an especially nice fit for a solar
pump as it is very naturally appealing; a beautiful choice to be powered by
nature. The popularity of solar powered water fountains continues to grow, as
do the choices, with major retailers now offering solar power garden products.

Basic Types of Solar Fountain Pumps

There are three basic types of solar fountains pumps, and choosing the right
one will depend on your specific fountain needs and desires. The first type is
a direct power solar fountain pump, which operates off of a built-in or remote
fountain solar panel. Although no installation is required, a direct power
water pump only works when the sun is shining on it. Therefore if there is no
sun, your solar garden water fountain will not operate with this type of pump.
The second type of pump is a submersible solar fountain pump, which can be
fully submersed below the water of a garden pond, pool or lake. Submersed solar
pumps rely on energy from a remote solar panel and produce a very decorative
above-water spray. The third type of solar pump has a backup battery that
recharges through the solar panel during sunny days, and provides water flow,
and typically also illumination to the solar fountain at night.

Solar Powered Fountain Accessories

If you have a pond or other water feature and would like to easily install a
fountain, consider the solar-powered lily pad fountain. This floating device
contains a thin solar panel, a pump and a filter. You simply place the floating
lily pad in your water feature and can immediately enjoy the calming sound of
water. The pump is automatically activated by sunlight and will create a
beautiful vertical spray. You can select from different fountain heads for the
type of spray stream you want. The lily pad oxygenates your water as well,
thereby eliminating odors, and it keeps water moving to eliminate mosquitoes.
The floating lily pad is a wonderful solar garden water fountain option with
several benefits.

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts
from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at:
http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends,
clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's
Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!

Recognition
of farmers and gardeners who plant native and pollinator-friendly
plants, minimize tilling, use no chemicals (fertilizers, herbicides,
pesticides), and provide both water and habitat for a wide array of living beings.

Use of organic and environmentally friendly beneficial insects, biological pest controls while creating a biodiverse and healthy ecosystem.

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts
from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at:
http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends,
clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's
Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!